Implantable tendon protection systems and related kits and methods
An implantable tendon protection system includes a body adapted to be implanted within a bursa overlying a tendon of a patient to protect the tendon. The body may be fixed to the tendon with adhesive, sutures, staples, and/or anchors. A surgical kit is provided with such a tendon protection system and an insertion cannula. Methods of protecting a tendon of a patient are also disclosed.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/763,414, filed on Feb. 8, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/684,774, filed on Jan. 8, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/253,800, filed on Oct. 21, 2009; 61/184,198 filed on Jun. 4, 2009; 61/162,234 filed Mar. 20, 2009; 61/153,592 filed on Feb. 18, 2009, and 61/143,267 filed on Jan. 8, 2009, the disclosures of each incorporated herein by reference.
FIELDThe present invention relates generally to orthopedic medicine and surgery. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for delivery and fixation of sheet-like implants, such as for treating articulating joints.
BACKGROUNDInjuries to soft tissue, including, for example, musculoskeletal tissue, may require repair by surgical intervention, depending upon factors such as the severity and type of injury. Such surgical repairs can be effected by using a number of conventional surgical procedures, for example, by suturing the damaged tissue, and/or by mounting an implant to the damaged tissue. It is known that an implant may provide structural support to the damaged tissue, and it may also serve as a substrate upon which cells can grow, thus facilitating more rapid healing.
One example of a fairly common soft tissue injury is damage to the rotator cuff or rotator cuff tendons. The rotator cuff facilitates circular motion of the humerus relative to the scapula. Damage to the rotator cuff is a potentially serious medical condition that may occur during hyperextension, from an acute traumatic tear or from overuse of the joint. The most common injury associated with the rotator cuff region is a strain or tear involving the supraspinatus tendon. A tear at the insertion site of the tendon with the humerus, may result in the detachment of the tendon from the bone. This detachment may be partial or full, depending upon the severity of the injury. Additionally, the strain or tear can occur within the tendon itself. Treatment for a strained tendon usually involves physical cessation from use of the tendon, i.e., rest. However, depending upon the severity of the injury, a torn tendon might require surgical intervention as in the case of a full tear or detachment of the supraspinatus tendon from the humerus. Such surgical interventions include debridement, acromioplasty, and various procedures for reconnecting tendons to bone or strengthening damaged tendon to bone connections. Damage to the rotator cuff may also include degeneration. This is a common situation that arises in elderly patients. In degenerative cases there is loss of the superior portion of the rotator cuff with complete loss of the supraspinatus tendon. Similar soft tissue pathologies include tears in the Achilles' tendon, the anterior cruciate ligament and other tendons or ligaments of the knee, wrist, hand, and hip, spine, etc.
Some studies suggest that 85% of people over the age of 65 have some degree of shoulder tendon damage. Well-established procedures exist for repairing fully torn tendons, such as rotator cuff tendons, as previously mentioned. However, adequate treatments do not currently exist for partially torn tendons. There is a large need for less invasive surgical techniques and systems for effecting tendon repair, particularly for the supraspinatus tendon.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIn accordance with aspects of the disclosure, an implantable tendon protection system is provided which comprises a body adapted to be implanted within a bursa overlying a tendon of a patient. The body comprising a tendon engaging surface configured to attach to the tendon. The body may further comprise a sliding surface adapted to slide with respect to the bursa. In some embodiments, the tendon engaging surface comprises adhesive. The body may be configured to be movable between a collapsed state in which the body may be received within a cannula cavity, and a deployed state in which the body may extend across an interior portion of the bursa. In some embodiments, the body is configured to attach to a partially torn tendon. The body may comprise a middle portion that is less flexible than an edge portion.
In some of the above embodiments, the body is constructed from individual layers. A first layer may comprise a sliding surface and a second layer may comprise a tendon engaging surface, a mesh material, a plurality of fibers, and/or a bioabsorbable material. One or more intermediate layers may be located at least partially between the first and second layers. In some embodiments, a cushioning layer is interposed between the first and second layers. An intermediate layer may comprise at least one channel which may fluidly communicate with the tendon engaging surface. In some embodiments the sliding surface has a lower coefficient of friction than that of the tendon engaging surface.
In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, a surgical kit is provided which comprises a system such as described above and an insertion cannula. The insertion cannula may include a portion configured to enter a body of a patient. This portion includes a cavity for receiving the system when in a collapsed state. The insertion cannula may further comprise a mechanism configured to remove the system from the cavity when the insertion cannula portion is within the body of the patient. The removal mechanism may comprise a push rod at least partially located within the insertion cannula and movable along a longitudinal axis of the insertion cannula.
In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, methods of protecting a tendon of a patient are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of inserting a device into an at least partially viable bursa of the patient to a position overlying the tendon, and engaging a first surface of the implant with the tendon. The method may further include the step of attaching the device to the tendon. In some embodiments, the attaching step comprises the use of an adhesive. The adhesive may be urged through a channel in the device when the device is positioned within the body of the patient. In some embodiments, the inserting step comprises at least partially receiving the device within a portion of an insertion instrument, inserting the portion of the insertion instrument into the body of the patient, and removing the device from the insertion instrument while the portion is within the body. The device may be caused to assume the deployed state at least partially by introducing a fluid into an inflatable portion of the device.
In some embodiments, the above methods may further comprise the step of delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to tissue adjacent the device. The therapeutic or diagnostic agent may include a drug, anti-inflammatory agent, painkiller, antibiotic, protein, and/or a hormone.
In some embodiments, a second surface of the device is deployed to slide relative to the bursa. The device may serve to protect a damaged portion of the tendons. In some embodiments, the device does not substantially reinforce the engaged tendons by transmitting a significant load of the tendons. The device may serve to remove a stimulus from nerves in the engaged tendons. The removed stimulus may include one or more of pressure, temperature, chemical, electrical and inflammation stimulus. In some embodiments the device is not sutured to the tendons or other tissue. The inserting step may comprise the use of an arthroscopic instrument. In some embodiments the tendon comprises a partially torn tendon. The attaching step may comprise securing the device to the tendon using a plurality of anchors.
In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, a method is provided which comprises identifying a partially torn portion of a tendon and covering the partially torn portion of the tendon. In some embodiments a device may be positioned over the partially torn portion of the tendon and fixed to the tendon. The device may be fixed to the tendon with adhesive, sutures, staples, and/or anchors. Covering the partially torn portion of the tendon may spread impinging forces across a surface area of the device. In some embodiments a therapeutic agent that promotes growth of tissue into pores defined by the device may be delivered. The therapeutic agent may promote encapsulation of the device within a cellular encapsulation layer. The therapeutic agent may induce the growth of synovial cells on an outer surface of the device. The therapeutic agent may induce the growth of bursa cells on an outer surface of the device. The therapeutic agent may desensitize stimulated nerve receptors proximate the partially torn portion of the tendon. The therapeutic agent may promote the growth of a cellular encapsulation barrier over the partially torn portion of the tendon.
In some embodiments, covering the partially torn portion of the tendon inhibits the partially torn portion of the tendon from becoming a tear extending through a total thickness of the tendon. Covering the partially torn portion of the tendon may inhibit physical stimulus of the partially torn portion by adjacent tissues. Covering the partially torn portion of the tendon may protect damaged tendon fibers from mechanical agitation by adjoining tissues. Covering the partially torn portion of the tendon may alleviate pain, which in turn may restore shoulder function. In some embodiments, covering the partially torn portion of the tendon protects the partially torn portion of the tendon. Covering the partially torn portion of the tendon may prevent abrasion of the partially torn portion of the tendon. Covering the partially torn portion of the tendon may reduce friction between the partially torn portion of the tendon and adjacent tissues. Covering the partially torn portion of the tendon may cushion forces applied to the partially torn portion of the tendon by adjacent tissues.
The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings in which similar elements in different drawings are numbered the same. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
A distal tendon 22 of supraspinatus 30 meets humerus 24 at an insertion point 32. In the embodiment of
Scapula 23 includes an acromium 21. In
In
In the exemplary embodiment of
In
It is to be appreciated that the length of delivery system 170 may vary from that shown in
Some exemplary methods in accordance with the present detailed description include injecting an adhesive into channels defined by a device so that the adhesive exits a plurality of apertures defined by a tissue engaging layer of the device. The adhesive may elute over a large area to affix the device to a tendon. Delivery system 170 may be withdrawn from shoulder 26 after the delivery of device 4 is complete.
When device 304 is overlaying tendon 22, first layer 372 of device 304 provides a sliding surface 356 facing away from the tendon. In the exemplary embodiment of
In some useful embodiments, second layer 374 comprises one or more bioabsorbable materials. Examples of bioabsorbable materials that may be suitable in some applications include those in the following list, which is not exhaustive: polylactide, poly-L-lactide (PLLA), poly-D-lactide (PDLA), polyglycolide (PGA), polydioxanone, polycaprolactone, polygluconate, polylactic acid-polyethylene oxide copolymers, modified cellulose, collagen, poly(hydroxybutyrate), polyanhydride, polyphosphoester; poly(amino acids), poly(alpha-hydroxy acid) or related copolymers materials.
In the exemplary embodiment of
A second inlet 386 is visible in
In the exemplary embodiment of
In the embodiment of
Some exemplary methods in accordance with the present detailed description may include the step of delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to tissue adjacent a device such as, for example, device 504 of
In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
As best seen in
As shown in
In some useful embodiments, sheet 724 comprises a material defining a plurality of pores that encourage tissue growth therein. A coating that encourages tissue growth or ingrowth may be applied to the surfaces of sheet 724. It will be appreciated that sheet 724 may comprise various pore defining structures without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present description. In some embodiments, the sheet 724 has a pore size in the range of 150 to 200 microns. The porosity may be about 50 percent. Examples of pore defining structures that may be suitable in some applications include open cell foam structures, mesh structures, and structures comprising a plurality of fibers. In some embodiments, the fibers may be interlinked with one another. Various processes may be used to interlink the fibers with one another. Examples of processes that may be suitable in some applications include weaving, knitting, and braiding.
Device 700 includes a plurality of anchors 730. In the exemplary embodiment shown, each anchor comprises a coil 732. It will be appreciated that anchors 730 may comprise other elements without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present description. Examples of anchoring elements that may be suitable in some applications include: coils, barbs, hooks, stables, suture pads, and sutures. In the embodiment of
In
In the embodiment of
In other embodiments (not shown), a device may be provided with lumens having a steeper or shallower angle relative to tendon 736. While the exemplary device 700 shown in
An implantable device such as previously described may be placed over a partial tear in a tendon. In some embodiments, the device may be implanted over a tendon having micro-tear(s), abrasions and/or inflammation. Left untreated, minor or partial tendon tears may progress into larger or full tears. According to aspects of the present invention, a small or partial tear may be treated by protecting it with an implantable device as described above. Such early treatment can promote healing and prevent more extensive damage from occurring to the tendon, thereby averting the need for a more involved surgical procedure.
The implanted device may serve to protect a tendon from a stimulus. The stimulus may comprise one or more of the following: pressure, friction, temperature, electrical or chemical stimulus. In some embodiments, the device does not supplant or share any substantial load borne by a tendon, but serves to protect the tendon to facilitate healing.
In some embodiments, a bursa overlying a tendon is left substantially intact as the device is implanted over the tendon. This may be accomplished by creating a small incision or puncture through one wall of the bursa through which the device delivery cannula may be placed. The bursa may be filled with saline or similar fluid during the procedure to keep it inflated, thereby providing sufficient operating space for deploying and attaching the implantable device. After the device is implanted and the delivery cannula is removed, the opening in the bursa may be closed, such as with one or more sutures. Alternatively, it is believed that the bursa may form closure tissue by itself post-operatively. Such bursa growth may be stimulated by movement of the tendon and/or bursa relative to surrounding tissue.
In other embodiments, a portion or all of the bursa may be removed during the implantation procedure. In these embodiments, the implantable device may be sized and positioned to facilitate the bursa reforming naturally in its original location after the procedure.
As previously indicated, the implantable device may comprise an absorbable material. In some embodiments, the purpose of the device is to protect an injured portion of a tendon during healing, provide a scaffolding for new tissue growth, and/or temporarily share some of the tendon loads. The device may induce additional tendon tissue formation, thereby adding strength and reducing pain, micro strains and inflammation. When the device is applied to a structurally intact, partially torn tendon, the initial loading of the device may be carried by native tendon tissue until collagen is formed during the healing process. In some embodiments, organized collagen fibers are created that remodel to neo tendon with cell vitality and vascularity. Initial stiffness of the device may be less than that of the native tendon so as to not overload the fixation while tendon tissue is being generated.
The implantable device may be configured to allow loading and retention of biologic growth factors. The device and/or the growth factors may be configured to controllably release the growth factors. The device may be configured to allow transmission of body fluid to remove any degradation bi-products in conjunction with a potential elution profile of biologics. The device should degrade over time with minimal inflammatory response. For example, particulate matter that may result from degradation should not generate synovitus in the joint.
In one exemplary embodiment, the implantable device has a diameter of about 22 mm, and has directionally specific mechanical properties. In another embodiment, the device is generally rectangular with a width of about 20 mm, a length of about 40 mm, and a thickness of about 1 mm. In another embodiment, the device has a length of about 30 mm. These latter two arrangements provide a 20 mm2 cross-sectional area transverse to the load direction.
It is desirable in some situations to generate as much tissue as possible within anatomical constraints. In some cases where a tendon is degenerated or partially torn, tendon loads are relatively low during early weeks of rehabilitation. For example, the load may be about 100 N. The strain in the tendon due to the load during rehabilitation can be about 2%. In some of these cases, the implantable device can be designed to have an ultimate tensile strength of at least about 5 MPa. The tensile modulus can be designed to be no more than about 50 MPa and no less than about 20 MPa. The compressive modulus can be designed to be at least about 0.5 MPa. With a tensile modulus of 50 MPa, in order for the scaffold to strain 2% in conjunction with the degenerated tendon, the stress on the scaffold will be about 1.0 MPa. With an ultimate tensile strength of 5 MPa, the strength of the scaffolding of the implantable device when first implanted will be about five times the expected loads. With a cross-sectional area of 20 mm2, the load on the scaffold will be 20 N. Thus, from a load sharing perspective, the scaffold will carry about 20% of the load to experience 2% strain.
A published value for the compressive modulus of the supraspinatus tendon is in the range of 0.02-0.09 MPa (J Biomech Eng 2001, 123:47-51). The scaffold provided by the implantable device should have a higher compressive modulus than the tendon to prevent collapse of pores in the scaffold. A compressive modulus of 0.5 MPa would be about five times greater than the tendon.
The tissue within the device scaffold will typically be developing and organizing during the first one to three months after implantation, so load sharing with the scaffold is desired in some embodiments. After three months the tissue will typically be remodeling, so the mechanical properties of the scaffold should gradually decline to zero to enable the new tissue to be subjected to load without the scaffold bearing any of the load. If the scaffold loses modulus faster than it loses strength, then the relative loads on the scaffold will be less at three months than when first implanted. For example, if the modulus of the scaffold drops 50% to 25 MPa at three months, then 2% strain of the scaffold would require a stress of only about 0.5 MPa. At the same time, if the strength of the scaffold drops about 30% to 3.5 MPa, then the strength of the scaffold will be about seven times the anticipated loads at three months, compared to about five times when first implanted. Therefore, with the design criteria provided above, tensile failure of the scaffold during the first three months should be unlikely. Accordingly, the following specifications for degradation rate are recommended in some embodiments: an ultimate tensile strength of at least 70% strength retention at three months; tensile and compressive modulus of at least 50% strength retention at three months; and no minimum specification for strength and modulus at 6 months. The device may be designed to have a degradation profile such that it is at least 85% degraded in less than 1 to 2 years after implantation.
Cyclic creep is another design constraint to be considered in some embodiments. A strain of about 2% with a 40 mm long scaffold will result in an elongation of about only 0.8 mm. Therefore, very little cyclic creep can be tolerated in these embodiments to ensure that the scaffold will undergo strain with each load cycle. A test where a proposed scaffold design is cyclically strained to 2% at 0.5 Hz for 1 day provides 43,200 cycles, which likely exceeds the number of cycles experienced in three months of rehabilitation of a patient's joint. Incorporation of relaxation times should be considered in such testing. In some embodiments, a maximum of about 0.5% creep is an acceptable specification.
Material(s) used in the implanted device should be able to withstand the compression and shear loads consistent with accepted post surgical shoulder motions. The perimeter of the device may have different mechanical properties than the interior of the device, such as for facilitating better retention of sutures, staples or other fastening mechanisms. The material(s) may be chosen to be compatible with visual, radiographic, magnetic, ultrasonic, or other common imaging techniques. The material(s) may be capable of absorbing and retaining growth factors with the possibility of hydrophilic coatings to promote retention of additives.
While the systems, kits and methods disclosed above have been discussed relative to protecting tendons in shoulder joints, they may also be utilized to protect tendons in other articulating joints such as the knee, elbow and ankle.
While exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, modifications may be made, and it is therefore intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A method of implanting an implant in a shoulder region of a patient comprising:
- inserting a distal end of an implant delivery device into a shoulder region of the patient proximate a supraspinatus muscle, the implant delivery device comprising: a sheath defining a lumen; and an implant disposed within the lumen of the sheath;
- transitioning the implant from an undeployed state within the sheath to a deployed state outside of the sheath;
- positioning the implant over a partial thickness tear of a supraspinatus tendon of the patient;
- attaching the implant to the supraspinatus tendon of the patient while the implant is positioned over the partial thickness tear of the supraspinatus tendon of the patient.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising inserting the distal end of the implant delivery device into a subacromial bursa of the patient.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching the implant to the supraspinatus tendon using staples.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching the implant to the supraspinatus tendon using an adhesive.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the implant comprises a least one channel and a plurality apertures, and the method further comprising:
- injecting the adhesive into the at least one channel.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the adhesive elutes through the plurality of apertures after being injected into the at least one channel.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching the implant to the supraspinatus tendon such that at least a portion of the implant overlays the supraspinatus tendon and at least a portion of the implant overlays a humerus bone.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant comprises a bioabsorbable material.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising retracting the sheath to transition the implant from the undeployed state to the deployed state.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant comprises:
- a first layer having a sliding surface; and
- a second layer opposite the first layer and configured to engage the supraspinatus tendon, the second layer comprising a biocompatible material and a plurality of pores for encouraging tissue growth.
11. A method of attaching an implant to a supraspinatus tendon of a patient comprising:
- inserting a sheet-like implant into a subacromial bursa of the patient;
- positioning the implant so that at least a portion of the implant covers a partial thickness tear of the supraspinatus tendon; and
- securing the implant to the supraspinatus tendon while at least a portion of the implant is covering the partial thickness tear of the supraspinatus tendon.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising positioning the implant so that at least a portion of the implant covers a humerus bone.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
- inserting the implant into the subacromial bursa in a folded configuration; and
- unfolding the implant while in the subacromial bursa.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the implant is inserted into the subacromial bursa within a sheath of a delivery device.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the implant comprises at least one channel in fluid communication with a plurality of apertures on a tendon-engaging surface of the implant.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein securing the implant to the supraspinatus tendon comprises inserting one or more staples through the implant and into the supraspinatus tendon.
17. A method of treating a rotator cuff of a shoulder of a patient comprising:
- inserting a distal end of an implant delivery device into a subacromial bursa within the shoulder of the patient, the implant delivery device comprising: a sheath; and an implant disposed within the sheath in a folded configuration;
- advancing the implant beyond the distal end of the implant delivery device into the subacromial bursa;
- transitioning the implant from the folded configuration to an unfolded configuration within the subacromial bursa;
- positioning the implant so that at least a portion of the implant covers a partial thickness tear of a supraspinatus tendon of the patient; and
- attaching the implant to the supraspinatus tendon while at least a portion of the implant is covering the partial thickness tear of the supraspinatus tendon of the patient.
18. The method of claim 17, where the implant is attached to the supraspinatus tendon by inserting one or more staples through the implant and into the supraspinatus tendon.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising positioning the implant so that at least a portion of the implant covers a humerus bone of the patient.
20. The method of claim 17, where in the unfolded configuration the implant assumes a concave shape.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Jul 14, 2015
Date of Patent: Sep 17, 2019
Patent Publication Number: 20150313705
Assignee: Rotation Medical, Inc. (Plymouth, MN)
Inventors: Charles L. Euteneuer (St. Michael, MN), Thomas R. Hektner (Medina, MN), Thomas A. Westling (Orono, MN), Rebecca McCarville (Spring Park, MN), Duane Frion (Brooklyn Center, MN)
Primary Examiner: Bruce E Snow
Application Number: 14/798,921
International Classification: A61F 2/08 (20060101); A61F 2/00 (20060101);